Pattys Suitors | Page 8

she smiled in a self-conscious way.
"So I've heard," said Patty, smiling herself. "He seems young to be what they call a
woman-hater. I thought only old bachelors were that. Well, he has no interest for me.
There are plenty of boys in our own set."
"Don't you tell, if I tell you something," and now Elise looked decidedly important.
"What is it? I won't tell."
"Well, it's the funniest thing! That Mr. Cameron wants to meet me, though he never has
seen me."

"What!" exclaimed Patty, in astonishment. "Why does he want to meet you?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. But he was at Marie's this morning, and asked her if she knew
any girl who was gay and merry and had a sweet voice, and had dark hair and eyes and
rosy cheeks. And Marie says she knows he means me, and I think he does too! Isn't it
exciting?"
"Yes," said Patty, drily. "But you don't sing much, Elise."
"Oh, of course I don't sing like you do, but I have a fairly decent voice."
"But how mysterious it is. What does he know about you?"
"I don't know. It IS mysterious. He wouldn't tell Marie anything except that he wanted to
know the name of the girl he described; and he said she must be friendly enough with
Marie to call her up on the telephone in the middle of the night."
"But did you do that?" asked Patty, who was really shaking with laughter.
"Yes; I called her up last night after I got home from the party, because I'd left my
spangled scarf there, and I wanted her to put it away safely for me."
"I always leave things at a party, too," said Patty, looking innocent. "I left my fan at
Marie's last night. So I went there to- day and got it."
"Well, I thought I'd better telephone, for so many girls leave things and they get scattered
or lost."
"Well, what did your telephoning have to do with Mr. Cameron?"
"I don't know; that's the queer part of it. Perhaps the wires were crossed and he heard me
talking."
"H'm," said Patty, "perhaps he did. When are you going to meet him, Elise?"
"I don't know; but Marie says she'll have a few friends to tea some day soon, and she'll
ask him. She says it'll have to be a very small tea, because he hates to meet people."
"Why doesn't she have just you two? I think it would be more romantic."
"Oh, nonsense. This isn't romance. I think Mr. Cameron is a freak, anyway. But it's all
amusing, and I hope you'll be at the tea, yourself, Patty."
"I will if I'm asked," said Patty.
CHAPTER III
THE HEPWORTHS AT HOME

It was the day of Christine's home-coming, and Patty was busy as a bee preparing for the
great event. The pretty apartment where the Hepworths were to live was all furnished and
equipped, but Patty was looking after the dainty appointments of a party.
Not a large party, only about a dozen of their own set. Nan was there, too, and Elise
Farrington, and they were arranging flowers in bowls and jars and vases, till the rooms
were a bower of blossoms.
"What time will they arrive?" said Elise.
"We expected them about six o'clock," returned Patty; "but I had a telegram, and their
train is delayed, so they can't get here until nine. So I want the party all assembled when
they come. It's five now, and everything's about done, so we can scoot home and get
some dinner and get dressed, and be back here before they arrive. I'll be here by half-past
eight, for the caterers are coming then, and I want to see about the table."
So they all went home to dress, and before half-past eight Patty was back again.
There were two maids already installed, but Patty found plenty to do in superintending
matters, and she hadn't much more than completed the decorations of the table, when the
guests began to come.
"Isn't the apartment lovely?" exclaimed Mona Galbraith, as she went through the rooms.
"This music-room, or living-room, or whatever you call it, is just dear! Who selected the
furnishings?"
"Oh, Mr. Hepworth and Christine," said Patty; "two artists, you know; of course the
rooms ought to be beautiful. It is a lovely place, and just the right setting for that darling
of a Christine."
The whole merry crowd were assembled in the living-room, when the bride and groom
arrived. A shout of welcome went up from the young people, and Christine was
smothered in girlish embraces, while the men vigorously shook Mr. Hepworth's hand, or
clapped him on the shoulder, in their masculine way of congratulation.
Christine looked very sweet and smiling,